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I do my best to not gape at him as my mother swats at him playfully. “You’re adorable. Don’t let January keep you all to herself this week. The whole family will want to meet you.” She points at him.
“That’s why I’m here.”
My eyes bounce between my mother and Nicholas.
“I’m surprised her awful boss let her get away,” my mother whisper-shouts with her hand up next to her mouth like he’s her confidante.
“He’s the worst,” Nicholas says and then his chocolate-colored eyes meet mine. He lifts a brow and I want to die in this moment.
I shake my head, like I’ve never uttered those words to my mother in my life.
“Well, I’m sure you two are hungry,” my mother says, stepping aside so the server can drop off our food. “I’ll let you two lovebirds eat.” She turns toward Nicholas. “And tomorrow we’ll meet you on the bunny slopes.” My mother leaves with a swoosh of her hips like she’s skiing away from us. “Bye, January,” my mother calls out. “Call me.”
In my mother’s wake, an awkwardness falls over the table.
I stare at my salad, too afraid to even meet Nicholas’ dark eyes. I peek at him from under my long lashes, and face his cold stare.
I’m mortified. “I can explain…”
Chapter 4
Nicholas
* * *
Can she explain? I’m doubtful that’s possible. The fact she made our reservations at the same resort her family and Garrett Pulse are staying at has me questioning so many things.
I know her secret. There’s not much that happens in this industry that’s kept under wraps. I know my assistant, my right hand, has accepted a job with the man I loathe most in this world.
Pulse greeting us before was no accident. That slimeball knew exactly what he was doing, walking over and pissing on January, marking his territory. Acting like he all but won the award that’ll be mine. He’s trying to insinuate that everything belonging to me will soon be his.
Not on my watch.
If he wants to play hardball, I’m all in. And January’s mother gave me the perfect setup.
She thinks January’s here with her boyfriend and maybe, just maybe, if I play along, it’ll persuade January to keep working for me.
Even if she believes I’m the worst.
I raise an eyebrow at January as I sip my scotch.
“I… well, I was hoping I could split up my time here and none would be the wiser,” she whispers, averting her eyes.
I bite back a grin as I fold my hands on the table. “Is that so?”
My eyes lock with hers and my cock springs to life. I see the uncertainty, fear, and questions swimming in her gorgeous blue eyes. She's the most stunning woman I’ve ever been around.
Her perfectly pale skin blushes as she quickly drops her stare.
“My mother would not have understood if I told her I needed to be here with you instead of my family.”
“Clearly, you wouldn’t want to be in the company of the worst man alive,” I reply.
A groan escapes her full lips as she covers her face with her hands. “My mother says the most ridiculous things.”
I crack a grin, watching the embarrassment she’s so desperately trying to hide. Obviously, January has told her mother what a horrible man she believes I am. It’s a bit of a blow to my ego if I’m being honest.
“You know how pushy moms can be. She has an idea of how my life should be, and it doesn’t matter if I agree or not. I’m sure you’ve felt that at some point from your mother.” She gulps down her wine.
I completely ignore January’s assumption that every mother is like hers. Mine is not. At all. She’s also not up for discussion. And I need to make sure I play this week just right to keep January from going to work for a real asshole.
Because Pulse is no joke.
“I suppose we should discuss how this will go,” I suggest.
Her blue eyes lift to mine and a tenderness I’m not used to stares back at me. It’s tempting. This moment feels wrong somehow. Like she can see into my soul and knows my plan. A soft smile plays at her lips as her pink tongue pokes out to wet them. The urge to reach across the table and press my mouth to hers while my fingers sink into her silky brown hair has me tightening my hold on my scotch.
“You didn’t need to do that. I never would’ve put you in a position to pretend to be my boyfriend.” She briefly closes her eyes, slowly shaking her head. “This is going to be a disaster.”
When I prove her wrong, I may very well win her back without ever losing her.
“January, I come face to face with some of the most hardened, overly confident, geniuses in the world. I can handle your mother, believe me.” I offer a small grin as I pick up my cutlery to enjoy the steak in front of me.
